China used more than 45 percent of global semiconductor production, and it only makes 15 percent of worldwide semiconductors locally. The country ran a trade deficit of USD 193 billion in 2017 on semiconductor trade.

With its new Silk Road strategy, China has set in motion a timely initiative that may very well un-fold dynamics towards a wholesome development for the Eurasian countries. This is an opportunity for deep, pragmatic, well-considered, and orchestrated collaborative strategies.

Recent difficulties facing the implementation of infrastructure projects that are being constructed under China’s Belt and Road Initiative have highlighted the political risk faced by such multiyear projects when hosted in countries with democratic systems of government.

One under-discussed aspect of the Belt and Road Initiative is how ancient Chinese wisdom can help facilitate regional cooperation. It might be interesting to find out how ancient Chinese philosophy can better facilitate the BRI’s implementation in its culturally-diverse setting.

At the 2018 China-Arab States Cooperation Forum, cooperation is sought over long-term strategic planning in the areas of digital economy, artificial intelligence, new materials technology, pharmaceutical medicine, and smart cities.

The “Five Principles” will be the main feature of China’s version of the new world order. According to China, they give expression to the democratic spirit in contemporary international relations and the desire of the international community.

In the run up to US Secretary of Defense James Mattis’ first visit to China from June 27-28, 2018, he said: “I want to go in without poisoning the well and do a lot of listening.” Well he certainly got an earful regarding the South China Sea.

The world is seeing a complex clash of rising ideologies: populism, isolationism, liberalism, conservatism, trade constructivism, etc. The world is no longer in a binary order but one in which partnerships are forged when there are incentives to do so.

In May 2018, China and Japan agreed to start operating a maritime and air liaison mechanism, aiming to avert accidental clashes and avoid military misunderstanding and misjudgment in the Diaoyu/Senkaku Islands.